Joy Manufacturing Company

Joy Technologies, Inc.

Theodore B Bodimer

Joseph S David

Roger C Anderson

Lyman C Kightlinger

Alexander W Calder

A self-propelled material conveying system capable of traversing a surface along an elongated path. The conveying system includes a plurality of framework members arranged in tandem on the surface to form an elongated conveyor train. A connector on each framework member cooperates with a connector on an adjacent framework member for coupling the plurality of framework members and also permitting universal-type movement between adjacent members. The framework members also include supports for a plurality of orbitally-moveable crawler chains which engage the surface. The crawler chain supports substantially the entire longitudinal extent of the train. The framework members also support an orbitally-moveable conveyor belt above the crawler chains. The conveying run of the orbitally-moveable conveyor belt operates to convey material throughout substantially the entire longitudinal extent of the conveyor train. The crawler chains can be simultaneously driven to propel the material conveying system along the elongated path. The input end of the conveying system is steerable so that each framework member follows, in series, the path delineated by the first framework member as the conveying system advances. The orbitally-moveable conveyor belt is independently driven thereby allowing conveyance of material either while the material conveying system is stationary or moving.

Crawler-mounted conveying train

A material conveying system capable of traversing a surface along an elongated path having at least one curvilinear portion. The conveyor structure includes a plurality of framework members arranged in tandem on the surface of the elongated path. There are connectors on each framework member which are cooperable with connectors on each adjacent framework member for coupling the plurality of framework members to form the train. Each framework member has a series of rails to support an upper and lower run of an orbitally moveable crawler chain which engages the surface and which chain is capable of propelling the conveyor along the surface. At least some of the framework members include support structure for supporting an orbitally moveable conveying belt above the orbitally moveable crawler chain. The conveying run of the orbitally moveable conveying belt is operable to convey material substantially throughout the entire longitudinal extent of the conveyor train either while the train is moving or is stationary.

A material transporting system is disclosed. The material transport system includes a self-propelled material conveying system which is capable of traversing a surface along an elongated path which has a curvillinear portion. This system also includes a plurality of framework members arranged in tandem on the surface which lies along a portion of the elongated path. Each of the plurality of framework members is connected by connector means on each framework member cooperable with connector means on each adjacent framework member. Each connector means permits universal-type movement between adjacent framework members. The framework members include means for supporting an orbitally movable crawler chain in engagement with the surface. The crawler chain is designed to extend throughout the longitudinal extent of the train. Each of the framework members has means for supporting an orbitally movable conveyor belt above the orbitaly movable crawler chain. The conveying run of this orbitally movable conveyor belt is operable to convey material throughout the longitudinal extent of the train. In order to discharge material from the movable conveyor train, there is positioned within a mine a fixed conveyor system in side-by-side relationship to the movable conveyor train. The movable conveyor train has a hopper and a discharge mechanism capable of transferring material from the self-propelled conveying system to the stationary conveying system. This side-by-side relationship between the discharge end of the movable conveyor and the fixed conveyor is positioned as the movable conveyor advances into the mine.

Material transfer unit for ground-mounted FCT

An elongated conveyor having conveying and return traverses formed by an endless conveying element orbitally movable through a closed horizontally extending loop, the length and direction of which may be varied.

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Franklin, PA, United States of America

Theodore B Bodimer